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Start

AnthropicOfficialPublished by Anthropic

  • Skill
  • Workflow
  • Agent tooling
  • Apache-2.0
  • No issues found

From the author

Initialize the productivity system and open the dashboard. Use when setting up the plugin for the first time, bootstrapping working memory from your existing task list, or decoding the shorthand (nicknames, acronyms, project codenames) you use in your todos.
— the description by Anthropic

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

The start skill serves as the foundational setup process for the productivity system. It verifies the existence of essential files like task lists and memory directories, creates them if they are missing, and provides the user with access to a visual dashboard. For new setups, it includes a guided bootstrap workflow that analyzes existing task lists to decode workplace shorthand, acronyms, and project codenames, ensuring the agent is context-aware from the beginning.

What it does

  • Verifies or creates the necessary task management and memory file structure.
  • Deploys the visual dashboard interface for user interaction.
  • Guides users through a memory bootstrap process to learn workplace-specific terminology.
  • Analyzes task lists to identify and clarify nicknames, acronyms, and project codenames.
  • Offers an optional comprehensive scan of communication and document history to enrich context.
  • Populates structured memory files including glossaries, people profiles, and project details.

When to use it

  • When setting up the productivity plugin for the first time.
  • When you need to initialize the working memory and task tracking system.
  • When you want to bootstrap the agent's understanding of your specific workplace shorthand.
  • When you need to access the visual dashboard to manage your tasks.

Advantages

  • Ensures consistent organization of tasks and memory across sessions.
  • Reduces ambiguity by proactively learning your specific team jargon and project names.
  • Provides a clear, visual interface for managing productivity workflows.
  • Allows for both quick setup and deep, comprehensive context gathering.

Usage examples

“start”
The agent checks for existing task and memory files, initializes any missing components, and provides instructions on how to open the dashboard.
“I'm setting this up for the first time, please run start.”
The agent initiates the full setup, including the memory bootstrap workflow to learn your project codenames and team shorthand.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/anthropics/start-eicm/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip start.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Anthropic

Start Command

If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see CONNECTORS.md.

Initialize the task and memory systems, then open the unified dashboard.

Instructions

1. Check What Exists

Check the working directory for:

  • TASKS.md — task list

  • CLAUDE.md — working memory

  • memory/ — deep memory directory

  • dashboard.html — the visual UI

2. Create What's Missing

If TASKS.md doesn't exist: Create it with the standard template (see task-management skill). Place it in the current working directory.

If dashboard.html doesn't exist: Copy it from ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dashboard.html to the current working directory.

If CLAUDE.md and memory/ don't exist: This is a fresh setup — after opening the dashboard, begin the memory bootstrap workflow (see below). Place these in the current working directory.

3. Open the Dashboard

Do NOT use open or xdg-open — in Cowork, the agent runs in a VM and shell open commands won't reach the user's browser. Instead, tell the user: "Dashboard is ready at dashboard.html. Open it from your file browser to get started."

4. Orient the User

If everything was already initialized:

Dashboard open. Your tasks and memory are both loaded.
- /productivity:update to sync tasks and check memory
- /productivity:update --comprehensive for a deep scan of all activity

If memory hasn't been bootstrapped yet, continue to step 5.

5. Bootstrap Memory (First Run Only)

Only do this if CLAUDE.md and memory/ don't exist yet.

The best source of workplace language is the user's actual task list. Real tasks = real shorthand.

Ask the user:

Where do you keep your todos or task list? This could be:
- A local file (e.g., TASKS.md, todo.txt)
- An app (e.g. Asana, Linear, Jira, Notion, Todoist)
- A notes file

I'll use your tasks to learn your workplace shorthand.

Once you have access to the task list:

For each task item, analyze it for potential shorthand:

  • Names that might be nicknames

  • Acronyms or abbreviations

  • Project references or codenames

  • Internal terms or jargon

For each item, decode it interactively:

Task: "Send PSR to Todd re: Phoenix blockers"

I see some terms I want to make sure I understand:

1. **PSR** - What does this stand for?
2. **Todd** - Who is Todd? (full name, role)
3. **Phoenix** - Is this a project codename? What's it about?

Continue through each task, asking only about terms you haven't already decoded.

6. Optional Comprehensive Scan

After task list decoding, offer:

Do you want me to do a comprehensive scan of your messages, emails, and documents?
This takes longer but builds much richer context about the people, projects, and terms in your work.

Or we can stick with what we have and add context later.

If they choose comprehensive scan:

Gather data from available MCP sources:

  • Chat: Recent messages, channels, DMs

  • Email: Sent messages, recipients

  • Documents: Recent docs, collaborators

  • Calendar: Meetings, attendees

Build a braindump of people, projects, and terms found. Present findings grouped by confidence:

  • Ready to add (high confidence) — offer to add directly

  • Needs clarification — ask the user

  • Low frequency / unclear — note for later

7. Write Memory Files

From everything gathered, create:

CLAUDE.md (working memory, ~50-80 lines):

# Memory

## Me
[Name], [Role] on [Team].

## People
| Who | Role |
|-----|------|
| **[Nickname]** | [Full Name], [role] |

## Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| [acronym] | [expansion] |

## Projects
| Name | What |
|------|------|
| **[Codename]** | [description] |

## Preferences
- [preferences discovered]

memory/ directory:

  • memory/glossary.md — full decoder ring (acronyms, terms, nicknames, codenames)

  • memory/people/{name}.md — individual profiles

  • memory/projects/{name}.md — project details

  • memory/context/company.md — teams, tools, processes

8. Report Results
Productivity system ready:
- Tasks: TASKS.md (X items)
- Memory: X people, X terms, X projects
- Dashboard: open in browser

Use /productivity:update to keep things current (add --comprehensive for a deep scan).

Notes

  • If memory is already initialized, this just opens the dashboard

  • Nicknames are critical — always capture how people are actually referred to

  • If a source isn't available, skip it and note the gap

  • Memory grows organically through natural conversation after bootstrap

Files

Requirements and compatibility

Written for: Claude Code, Claude apps

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.

Attribution and licence

Published by
Anthropic
Publisher
Anthropic (Official)
Source
anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins · productivity/skills/start · commit e050c2e
Licence
Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from productivity/LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
Synced

AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.

Download ZIP

The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download start.zip